Support vehicles

In preparation for the clubs game next year at Border Reiver, we need a Lance of Mechs supported by some infantry, APC's and tanks. Now I already have the mechs and the infantry and had made a start on some of the tanks. Well I finally got around painting them, slightly delayed as I was ordered to do some painting of a different kind, 3 days I'm not getting back.

So here they are, all 3d prints. The tanks are from EBay and I believe they could be 40k related but don't quote me on it. All painted up to match the colour scheme of my mechs for Darc's Dragoons.

These next 2 vehicles were supplied by Mitch,1 is an additional APC and the other a AA support vehicle.

So just 1 more APC to complete to finish the force and I'll also be able to retire the old epic scale rhino's I've been using.

Now plans are underway for a new side project as I've decided trying to paint a Roman army with the dark nights is not really an option and would be best left to spring. This project will only need 20 or so figures to paint up and I can take my time as I will only really have weekends available to get any painting done.

Darc's Dragoons

I picked up another boxed set to bring my mercenaries Darc's Dragoons up to company strength (3 lances). I still needed to add the tufts to the bases which I did after the photos were taken. These Mechs were all part of a Direct fire lance, 2 assault mechs and 2 heavy mechs, the Atlas, Marauder II, Orion and Crusader.

AS7-K Atlas

MAD-5A Marauder II

ON1-k Orion

CRD-3R Crusader

The full company

To support my mechs I also painted up 3 more vehicles, the 2 APCs are 3d prints from Mitch, the heavy tank is also a 3d print I picked up off EBay, I have 3 more of these.

I've got another 3 tanks, an APC and a AA support vehicle on the painting table nearly finished. I will just need 1 APC to complete but need to order in some more bases.

Ground troops

For the planned game next year, Mitch wants the Mechs to be supported by some ground troops, just a couple of mechanised infantry companies and other support vehicles. I had already done the tanks so just the infantry to do. Now to save money I dug into the old lead/plastic pile  for more of the old space marine infantry. 8 bases duly found and painted up. Mitch even provided a few more 3d printed vehicles to act as transports. In keeping with the force colours they are all red with some black to break up the colour.

2 companies of infantry

APC's

Mobile AA missile launcher

Completed company

I'm just waiting for my order of grass tufts to arrive to finish the bases on the infantry. Now I can get back to painting up some more Mechs that have arrived. Looking at finishing a second company and a mercenary lance.
 

6mm SciFi

So one of the options for a display game at next year's Border Reiver show is some 6mm SciFi fun with Mechs, vehicles and aliens. Mitch is taking the lead on this idea and I was happy to help out with one of the Mech Lances and their support vehicles. Luckily I already have some Mechs painted up, so it was more around adding some support vehicles. Now back in the day I picked up a small bundle from Brigade models which provides most of what I need. Mitch has provided some 3d printed tanks which I'll hopefully get done next weekend.

2 infantry detachments with vehicles

2 Air support gunships

Various light vehicles

The force so far

Not bad for a day's work. Just had to add some tufts to the Mechs to bring their bases inline with the rest of the force.

Praetors vs Greywolves - round 2

It's been a few months since we had a run out with the Mech.s As the club was moving rooms it seemed a perfect opportunity to play a game as we only needed a few figures. So Dave set up a quick game with my Praetors looking to ambush a Greywolves patrol.

As I got the first turn I moved my APCs and tanks into the cover of the buildings, meanwhile my light mech swung off to the right. The Greywolves sent 2 of their mechs to intercept. Unfortunately Dave failed a move roll, isolating one of his mechs.

This allowed my light mech to rapidly close in, firing on the move. Combined with support from my heavier mechs, one of the Greywolf mechs went up in flames. They responded by demolishing one of the buildings, taking out one of my infantry teams.

With one mech down, my heavies quickly closed on the enemy. The dice gods were definitely in my favour as more heavy fire took out a second mech. One of the Greywolves did manage to get its guns on my light mech, inflicting some damage and blinding the pilot for a turn. Unfortunately though the game was quickly up, in one turn my remaining mechs then inflicted crippling damage on the remaining two mechs and it was game over. All dopne in an hour

Well next week it willbe back to tricorns.

Praetors vs Greywolves

Well the 6mm sci fi collection got a run out this week as we tried the rules from the Songs of Blades stable. Mitch who ran the game kept it simple. Three Mechs, 3 tanks and 3 APCs with infantry per side. The Greywolves were defending a re-purposed runway, while the Praetors were sent to investigate. 

The game began with the Praetor Mechs and APCs advancing towards the central built uo area, while the infantry disembarked to occupy the buildings. The tanks moved out west to cover the flank.

Almost immediately the indantry came under attack with one of the buildings being destroyed. A second Greywolf Mech opened up on my light mech causing a little damage.

A third mech fired upon an oil refinery, causing an explosion that engulfed my APCs, destroying one.

My light mech then closed quickly on its opponent, though damage seemed negligible. Even support from my heavy mech did little damage. My light mech then came under fire from 2 mechs and the tanks. Destabilized and knocked over. 

Eventually my Heavy mech got into range, with devastating fire, destroying an enemy mech and knocking out a tank. My own tanks then got into range and with combined fire, knocked out a second mech.

Meanwhile the Greywolf heavy mech then opened up on my heavy mech, knocking it out, before itself was dealt catastrophic damage. The Greywolf infantry did have some success in finishing off the Praetor infantry.

A good fun game that no doubt will get another run out in the future.

More 6mm bits and pieces

Just a few more additions to my 2 6mm forces. Should be plenty to get some games in. Will add more in the future as a diversion to my main projects.

First up a few bits to round out my first force, Henryks'  Hussars. 2 each of rhino APC, infantry stands and artillery.

For my second force, Pretorian Night phantoms, I finally completed the 4 Mechs along with some trial models Mitch provided after practising with his new 3d printer.

The bases for the mechs will get changed. I tried 50mm roundbases and feel they are too large and will replace with 40mm bases once my order  arrives. 

More 6mm madness

After re-painting the first batch of Epic scale spacemarines, I decided to dig a few more out to paint up and add to the collection. This time I fancied Black for the vehicles. I wasn't too sure how it would turn out on 6mm figures. I gave them all a very light drybrush of dark grey and did the tracks Black/brown. Quite happy with the results for a nights work. Took longer to do the bases.

Not a bad little force to support a lance if Mechs, though I do still have them to paint up for this force. I think I'll stick with the black colour scheme. Mitch also dropped off a few 6mm 3d printed figures that I'm sure I can mix in.

So no new projects!

This year I made a promise to myself, not to start any new projects, just work on existing armies and get those sitting unpainted atleast painted. So far I have kept my promise, now Dave mentions Mechs. Now I remember playing Battletech many years ago and always like the idea of putting together miniatures for a mercenary force. But this would mean a new project, but Mechs are cool.

Luckily I still have the old Space Marine game produced many years ago by Games Workshop. Now If I re-used some of the infantry and vehicles, then I'm just updating an existing collection. So technically not a new project. That's me convinced.

Now one of the benefits of isolating due to Covid in the family I spent the last 3 days happily putting together a small mercenary force. First 4 Mechs from the Reaper Cav range. These are actually 10mm but fit in with the epic range.

For tanks I used 4 Land Raiders and mobile artillery in the form of 2 basilisks. Went for a red and white camo, quick and easy to do.

Lastly is a mechanized infantry company. This comprises of 10 Rhino APCs and 10 stands of infantry.

So the whole force together. Perfect to act as a mercenary contingent. Got more than enough GW stuff to kit out another 4 mechanized company with Rhinos and 20+ Land Raiders. 

Just need to give the company a suitable name and then see what rules Dave wants to use.